Press Releases

Citizens Union Applauds Charter Revision Commission for Advancing Open Primaries and Even Year Elections 

April 30, 2025 - Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Board Chair John Avlon applauding the Charter Revision Commission for including two transformative reforms in their report issued today: moving New York City elections to even-numbered years and implementing a top-two open primary system. These long-standing priorities of Citizens Union represent important steps toward a more inclusive, participatory, and representative local democracy:

Citizens Union Applauds City Council for Passing Legislation to Reform Sidewalk Shed Rules

March 20, 2025 - Citizens Union released the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum, applauding the New York City Council for passing legislation to address the city’s long-standing sidewalk shed problem. Citizens Union’s 2023 report, Sidewalk Shed Reform in New York City, highlighted how these structures, originally intended as temporary safety measures, have become permanent fixtures

Citizens Union Calls on Charter Revision Commissions to Implement Bold Reforms to Strengthen Democracy and Government Accountability

February 24, 2025 - Citizens Union today released a new report urging both New York City Charter Revision Commissions to take decisive action to strengthen democracy and enhance government accountability. The report, published ahead of Citizens Union’s testimony before the Mayoral Commission this evening, calls for comprehensive reforms, including establishing a process to remove mayors for misconduct, implementing top-two open primary elections, moving city elections to even-numbered years, and expanding the powers and independence of the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB).

Citizens Union: Eric Adams Should No Longer Be Mayor of New York City

February 19, 2025) - Mayor Eric Adams should resign from his office. His choices and actions over a sustained period of time have led to levels of ethical misconduct in City Hall unseen in decades. This has created a crisis of confidence in his ability to lead the government of our nation’s largest city and has led to the resignation of more than half of his current deputy mayors. Serious ethical lapses by the Mayor, and an absence of stability in any one of these roles, let alone all of them, threaten to undermine policymaking and the delivery of essential public services citywide.

Groups Applaud Court of Appeals Decision Upholding State Ethics Commission

February 18, 2025 - Watchdog and legal groups applauded today’s thoroughly-researched and argued decision by the NYS Court of Appeals that solidifies the constitutionality of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG). This victory for state ethics oversight will help ensure that the governor does not have undue control over the very body that ensures their conduct is ethical

Citizens Union Announces Retirement of Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum

February 07, 2025 - Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation announced today that Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum will retire after seven years at the organization's helm. Gotbaum, a distinguished public servant and nonprofit leader, has spent more than five decades serving the people of New York City in various capacities, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s civic and political landscape.

Citizens Union Unanimously Elects John Avlon as New Board Chair

December 18, 2024 - Citizens Union announced the election of John Avlon as their new Board Chair. Avlon, an accomplished journalist, author, civic leader, and former congressional candidate, succeeds Randy Mastro, who has served with distinction as Chair since 2016. Avlon was elected unanimously by the boards of Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation.

Voting Rights Groups Call for City Council to Reconsider Seddio BOE Nomination

December 9, 2024 - Several good government groups and political club sent a letter to the New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and top Council officials expressing concern over the possible appointment of Frank Seddio, former chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, for Commissioner of Elections. Seddio has been nominated by the Brooklyn Democratic Party for a term that begins on January 1, 2025. A date for the confirmation has not been set.

Citizens Union Announces Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President

October 16, 2024 - Citizens Union announced its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President in the 2024 election. This marks only the second time in the organization’s 125-year history that it has endorsed a candidate for the highest office in the nation.

Citizens Union Announces Positions on 2024 Ballot Questions

October 10, 2024 - Today, Citizens Union announced its official positions on the six ballot questions that New York City voters will consider in the upcoming November 2024 general election. These questions include a statewide constitutional amendment and five proposed amendments to the New York City Charter

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